I should have given my reason for voting the way I did earlier but, I didn’t. My apologies. The Mystical & Magical System of the A.'.A.'. is a serious book that should not be taken lightly. The current large style format is dignified. That is something you can’t put a price on.

I do have a silly question now that I am thinking about. What was the reasoning for the colour(sky blue?) used for the dust jacket and inside of the covers?

AL III,17: “Fear not at all; fear neither men nor Fates, nor gods, nor anything. Money fear not, nor laughter of the folk folly, nor any other power in heaven or upon the earth or under the earth. Nu is your refuge as Hadit your light; and I am the strength, force, vigour, of your arms.”

93! i am using fox fire. i have also checked explorer with the same result, no vote option. voting only for one choice, without question, the format as is. the large format is easy to read, and yes, the binding is really something, it does lay open nice too. there being times when i have needed to have multiple source material out. everyone should have the chance to have a copy just as it has always been. it is a work of art and craft93!

I've refrained from voting because I already own a copy of MMSAA in a format I like and don't plan to buy another. But it seems to me that you would increase your readership by releasing an inexpensive paperback. (Basing your decision on a poll is not always the best idea.)

-- Robert W

"Friends in the Dharma, be satisfied with your own heads. Do not put any false heads above your own. Then, minute after minute, watch your step closely." -- Nyogen Senzaki

I'm not sure whether it's already been said, but as far as I'm concerned there is no substitute for the M&MAA in its current format. I display it proudly next to my hardcover Equinox set et al. hardback reference books. The oversized format makes it stand out. For us bibliophiles this is a plus.

It is true that nothing beats the feel of a paperback when you want to sit, or lie down, and read, and it may be that two formats is the way to go after all; but I much prefer hardcovers when doing research, if for no other reason than that they keep you tied down to your desk, focused on your task. There are other benefits, of course, such as laying open much easier than paperbacks.

In short, whether you put out another format or not, I think those interested are best served with the current design.

No, we aren't anticipating a special numbered edition. We did one of those as a "collectible" for 776 1/2 as a Temple of Thelema 20th Anniversary event, but we can't do that all the time - especially in the current economy, most people aren't after expensive "investment" books, no matter how nicely they're made.

But we have decided this year on some little niceties that will become standard to our hardcovers hereafter; and if rising costs require us to bump the price anyway (we're hoping not, but...), then we have some more niceties we can slip in under the same price bump.

This is the first book I read that Jim Eshelman wrote. It introduced me to a lot of ideas, history, and methods that were pretty new to me. It was one of the reasons I became aware that the Temple of Thelema existed and for those things it is a foundation in how I've pursued my path which is Thelemic.

That being said - I don't know if I would call it a "home study course in Thelema", but it certainly can be. It gives introductions into the concepts, people, and systems that give the system of the A.'.A.'. context and then goes on to give an in-depth description of the system. Check out the Periodicals and Monographs in the C.O.T. Pulications as well as they are also very interesting.

Shamati wrote:Did you ever think about releasing the book in some kind of digital format?

The idea has been tossed about. However, there isn't a satisfactory solution (i.e., a solution that satisfies us). In any case, it would require completely reworking the layout, which would take me at least six months, maybe longer. I would only do it we could release it on Kindle, and there are not satisfactory solutions for such things as non-English fonts.

That's a main reason none of my books is in Kindle format btw ... I've said I'll do it the first time I write a book that doesn't have any Hebrew, Greek, or Enochian in it <g>.

The way it is is just perfect.The hardcover will make it more resilent to elements that can take place with books.

It should never be forgotten for a single moment that the central and essential work of the Magician is the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. Once he has achieved this he must of course be left entirely in the hands of that Angel, who can be invariably and inevitably relied upon to lead him to the further great step—crossing of the Abyss and the attainment of the grade of Master of the Temple. (Magick Without Tears, Ch.83)

wanderer-exile wrote:Have you considered going the print-on-demand route.

That would be completely against our underlying goal of producing the highest quality physical books, created to last a century.

Thanks for your vote. It probably doesn't matter now (the question was asked years ago and I don't expect to have time to completely, top-to-bottom, rewrite and restructure the book in the next few years - it would be about a year of work if I had nothing else big on my docket.) I'd like to do some significant rewrite before I die, so I'll have have to plan not to die in the immediate future

It's out of stock, but being reprinted. I just asked the other day when the copies are due. This usually only takes a few weeks.